Home & Hosed
* Gorgeous, big-hearted, friendly, lovable huskies
* Tough challenges (camping at -21 degrees, 250km)
* Great new friends & fantastic guides
Too much for one blog update!
Some sample photos attached but further updates to follow over the next week or so.
All made possible by your great support and generosity.
Thank you all!
Jim.
US & Canada Folks
Some folks from the US and Canada are having difficulties using their credit cards to donate.As an alternate you can donate on Pay Pal at https://www.paypal.me/jimABaldwin
On your marks ..
An early Friday morning flight to Stockholm and an internal hop 145 km into the Arctic circle to Kiruna.
Some final items of kit to sort out (I haven't got those woolly long-johns as yet M!) but largely good to go.
Getting exciting now & I can't wait.
More importantly, we have nearly 8,000 euro raised for the AADI with a significant further top-up promised from the State Street's corporate donation scheme.
Thank you all for your generous donations and incredible help with fundraising concerts and comedy nights.
Gearing Up
Starting to get some gear together in the Jan sales - a "Down under jacket" was on the list so took this on a test outing to the Munster game in Toulon ... very warming results indeed! :-)
Not far from my fundraising target - thanks to your generous support, and with an extra push from State Street's sponsorship scheme we should hit that €10k mark.
Every penny going to support the great work of the AADI guys.
Christmas Carols & Woolly Unders
The total continues to grow thanks to the overwhelming generosity you have all shown. An extra thanks to the Rathfarnham Gospel Choir who raised funds (once again!) at the Killakee Christmas Tree Farm.
Thank you all and Happy Christmas.
Next up - booking flights and buying woolly long-johns!
Half-way Milestone
Thanks all for those who have supported so far!
Note that all funds raised will go directly and entirely to AADI
(I will cover the travel costs etc. myself)
Harmony in the Village
All gave their time and talent to the fundraising effort which was matched by the local parish and community in a humbling display of generosity!
Thank you all!
Sled Dogs Dinner
Gráinne kindly introduced me to a torture called kettlebells - it made me wonder if sled dogs would prefer to eat lean, or more "rib-eye-style", sled drivers ;-)
Up and running
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far!
Planning some fundraising events - more to come on these.
Starting some fitness work - mushing all day in -18C is hard work apparently.
Frostbitten toes and Pints
Having seen the great work AADI do however I am now signed up!
So - lots to do ... fund-raise, fitness, woolly socks! ...
I'm fundraising for...
The AADI Dog Sled Expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the ultimate test of my endurance. I'll spend five days sledding through the rolling highlands and deep forests of Lapland! The challenge will cover approximately 270km as I journey from Norway to Sweden passing through wild and untouched nature on our way to the original and world-famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. I'll experience daily life in Lapland as I tend to our team of dogs and watch the Northern Lights (if I'm lucky!)... A truly unforgettable experience awaits and together with your support we will open up a whole new world of opportunity for a child with autism.
Thank you to my Sponsors
€2k
Jim - To Cover Trip Costs
€1.63k
Harmony In The Village Concert (cash)
€1.53k
Harmony In The Village Concert (online Tickets)
€300
Martin & Monique Hegner
What an adventure! We can also knit woolly socks 🧶🧦👣🥶😉
€276
Rathfarnham Gospel Choir
€265
Dermot Quinn
Jim - best of luck and a very worthwhile organisation- Dermot
€240.86
Harmony In The Village Concert (card Payments)
€201
Charlie And Bridget
Best of luck Jim! We’ll donate an extra tenner for every toe lost!
€106
Eleanor Baldwin
Good luck!!!!
€106
Mark And Catherine Greene
Best of luck Jim. Mark says the dogs are doing all the work! Mark and Catherine
€106
Fiona Baldwin
So proud of you. 😍
€106
Aidan Corless
Well done Jim
€105.50
Anonymous
Best of luck.. Great cause. Look after the poor doggies!
€104.50
Eoin Baldwin
€100
James Baldwin
€79.50
Joe Keaney
Best of luck
€76
Anonymous
€53
Johnny & Sinead
Best of luck Jim!
€53
Agnieszka Furlong
Best of luck Jim, that sounds amazing, please share pics once you are back
€52.25
Trish Evenden
€51
Anonymous
€50
Rob Dulstone
You old Tosser ! 🤣
€50
Bob Sylverne
€50
Susan Porazzo
€50
Peter Collins
Best of luck Jim! Great adventure and hope it all goes well
€49
Tina Callaghan
€31.80
Margaret O’connor
€31.35
Lochlainn
Good luck Jim! Some trip.
€26.50
Harvey Dettmar
Good luck Jim
€26.50
Deirdre Carton
€26.50
Tim Obrien
How many toes are you starting out with?
€26.50
Lorna Mcnevin
€26.50
Eoin Hughes
Best of luck Jim 💪
€26.50
Deirdre D
Beat of Luck Jim!
€26.50
Barry Grist
That's some challenge. best of luck Jim.
€26.50
Dave & Arlene Nicholas
Best of luck Jim!
€26.13
Eileen Gallagher
Best of luck Jim. Come back with all the toes and great stories
€26
Donna M
Best of luck
€21.20
Christine Staniforth
Joe says Poor Jim ...check your lights!
€21.20
Orlaith K
Best of luck Jim!
€21.20
Anonymous
€21.10
Martin Kavanagh
good luck jim
€20.90
Catriona Oreilly
€20
Trish Evenden
€10.60
Ian Horan
Best of luck with your adventure Jim. Sounds fantastic .
€10.60
Romea Cafasso
Wow! That’s some journey. Good on you for raising for such a good cause.
€10.60
Vivienne Bannigan
Good luck 😉 Jim!
€10.60
Anonymous
€10.45
Siobhan Armstrong
€10
Emily Gordon
€5.30
